It has happened at last.

Both security scanners are now being used to speed up the flow of passengers passing through security at the airport.

The move comes after months of criticism about delays at Ronaldsway.

In the last year we’ve published photos of queues snaking around the airport as passengers were held up getting into the departures lounge.

Two lines are now open in the newly-enlarged central security area, with staff available to help passengers prepare themselves for the search procedure.

Airport bosses say the newly-installed equipment means passengers and their belongings can be screened much more quickly.

Automatic boarding card readers will be soon installed, marking the completion of the project.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ’The aim of the work undertaken over the past few months was to reduce the time people had to queue waiting to go through security, and I’m pleased this has been achieved.

’Importantly, the changes will improve the overall passenger experience, and will help residents and visitors enjoy a smooth start to their journey from the island.’

Passengers are reminded to check their boarding card information to see the time their airline expects them to be at the departure gate.

For example, EasyJet require passengers to be at the gate 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time, while for Aer Lingus Regional and Flybe it is 30 minutes and for British Airways it is 20 minutes.

The second scanner was originally promised to be operational by the end of July in the project, which was initially costed at £300.000.

In March, ports director Ann Reynolds told a Tynwald scrutiny committee she didn’t know why the issue suddenly arose at the end of September last year.

As we reported in a page one story, when she gave evidence to the environment and infrastructure policy review committee, she said: ’At the end of September when the queues started, there was no one issue that caused it.

’There was no change in the flights, there was no change in the scheduling, there was no change in the security processing. But we must take into account that we did have large passenger numbers. It was a record year for us.’

Among the causes seemed to be the close timing of flights using large aircraft and the growing number of passengers using apps and online check-in.

In April, a whistleblower alleged a number of problems at the airport in a report we featured on page one.

He said that opening the second scanner and another queue would help to solve the problem of queues.

A list of advice for anyone travelling through the airport over the Christmas period has been issued by Ronaldsway bosses:

Leave Christmas presents unwrapped

Christmas crackers and party poppers are not allowed through security

Make sure any jams, chutneys, honey and syrup are under 100ml, clearly labelled and in a clear plastic bag.

Remove coats, hats and scarves and place them in the tray.